Before you picture a crusty Slim Dusty, don't let the stereotypes of country music chase you away.
With a changing face, the new breed of Australian country music stars are looking to shed the pre-conceived idea that country music has to be boot-scooting line dancing. Two Queensland acts making progress are Innocent Eve and Gemma Kirby.
Innocent Eve
You'll be playing the Broadbeach Country Music Festival in June; anything special planned for the set?We’ve just released our latest single called 'And We Sang', so we’re super excited to be performing this song and promoting our new music video.
When it comes to performance, are you both drawn to the stage and the interaction with an audience?
I (Rachel) have always loved being on stage and performing since I was a small child. I’ve always felt pretty happy and comfortable performing in front of people and get such a buzz from the interaction.
I (Bec) haven’t always been so comfortable on stage. I’ve always been happier out of the limelight, but as I gain confidence I’m making friends with the big stage and I love the buzz once I’m out there.
'And We Sang' is your current single; what was the genesis of the song?
I (Bec) was thinking about how grateful I am for my upbringing and how unique it was. I didn’t know it was unique until I was older and then I wanted to share our journey and the culture of growing up on the land and being part of a musical family.
The song is part of your debut album, 'Temporary Balms'. Have you begun work on a second album?
Yes we have… and we are very excited at the prospect of getting back into the studio in the next six months.
By day you are teachers; is it good for your music to have another creative outlet to focus on when you're not doing music? It’s good to have a contrast in careers.
As a relief teacher, you don’t have a lot of creative input into the actual class room. However, it does afford you the opportunity to observe lots of different people and their interaction, which can be helpful with songwriting.
Singing as sisters; that must have its pros and cons, right?
Yes. The cons are the usual sibling disagreements. When you’re so comfortable with someone, you tend to speak your mind, which can be great in the long-run, but in the short-term can cause momentary tiffs or disagreements. The pros far outweigh the cons. For a start, we are best friends and we know that we can rely on each other 100 per cent. It’s pretty amazing to be chasing your dreams with your best mate at your side.
Also, having grown up singing together since we could talk, means that harmonies are second nature and the ability to read where a song is going, or if you make a mistake, the other can sense it and cover for you before anyone else notices.
Life growing up in Wowan; was it typical country living?
I guess so. We lived on a farm and worked hard and together as a family. Times were tough. The seasons weren’t kind to us during a lot of those years, so we all just had to pitch in and work hard outside of school to make sure we kept things going. In hindsight, it may not have been typical, but it’s all we knew and we’re grateful for the lessons it taught us like perseverance, teamwork and doing whatever it takes.
The remainder of 2016 for Innocent Eve; what do you gals have planned?
Broadbeach CMF, Airlie Beach, Gympie CMF with Ben Ransom, Monto Dairy Festival. Various local shows in the Central QLD region. We also plan to be back in the studio recording in late 2016 with a fresh album ready for 2017.
'And We Sang' is available now. Innocent Eve play multiple shows at the Broadbeach Country Music Festival 17-19 June.
Gemma Kirby
'Coal Train' is your current single. How does it showcase the Gemma Kirby sound?I worked really hard on the whole album, 'Semi-Precious' to make sure that the whole album had the authentic Gemma Kirby sound. 'Coal Train' is extra special though as it sets the scene of the life I currently live. Country music has so many different elements to it, here in 2016. My upbringing and learnings of music have come from my father who is a heavy blues and rock bass player, so you can expect to here a little more 'rock & roll' in 'Coal Train'.
Tell us about the making of the 'Coal Train' film clip; looks like it was a lot of fun driving around in a sweet ride?
This was a highlight in making my clip for 'Coal Train'. I am a rev-head; always have been and always will be. I would still have a V8 now but due to common sense and a pleading mother I have settled for a sports V6 that is a little more reliable than a HZ premier wagon, WB ute or a dumped-out Commodore that I couldn’t take to the shopping centres without ripping the front guard off on a speed bump.
Thanks to Milton from Caddy Daddy on the Gold Coast, I had the opportunity to film part of this clip in a '59 Cadillac Convertible and it was pearl pink! Every girl's dream right? This baby even had the luxuries of power steering.
'Coal Train' is also the lead track of your debut album 'Semi-Precious' released last year; have you begun work on your next record?
I started writing for the next album the very day after 'Semi-Precious' was released (to my partner's distress). I felt really overwhelmed and loved the production and recording process of 'Semi-Precious'. I had the opportunity to work with some incredible musicians and also with Matt Fell, a multi Golden Guitar and ARIA-winning producer. I have already set some approximate dates to get back into the studio at the end of this year, but until then I am looking forward to the creative journey and co-writing with some amazing songwriters, like Matt Scullian.
When you're not making music, you drive trucks at a coal mine; does that balance your life?
I always joke and tell people I get to be a boy for half my life and the moment I step offsite you won't see me without eyes make-up, heels and a dress. I feel that working in this environment has given me a different edge in the music industry and one that is very honest. Some of the lyrics, especially in 'Coal Train', are a bit of fun wordplay, and if you are not in a mining or trucking environment you will assume I am being just plain naughty.
Your family has a long history with coal mining; how does music fit into the picture?
I am a sixth generation coal miner, but my family is very creative and has always been surrounded by music. My mother has photos of me very young in a cardboard box, back stage in a beautiful yellow crocheted blanket listening to my dad play on the back of a truck at a gig for his band in the day, Beware Of The Dogs. Music has probably been more dominant in my life than what coal mining has, but I seem to have found a way (like my father) to balance them.
Country music in Australia is undergoing a changing face, particular with the indie alt. country set. Where you do you see yourself in that picture?
I think every artist in the country music scene will be feeling this change at the moment. For so long country music has been confined to a box and now we have some pretty amazing acts coming through who are pushing this new, contemporary sound and style of writing. Like anything people are scared of change, but for me this is an exciting movement as I always described my style of music as 'controversial country'.
You were crowned the Overall Champion of the World for the Country and Western Division World Championships of Performing Arts in 2013; quite the achievement. How was that experience?
This is by far one of the highlights of my career. It was special enough to be asked to represent Australia in the team, but to take out 12 medals and be crowned the the Overall Champion of the World for the Country and Western Division World Championships of Performing Arts was a huge accomplishment. This experience was what really pushed me to start taking my music serious and believe in the Gemma Kirby that other people did.
What's next for Gemma Kirby?
We still have six months of releases from the current album, 'Semi-Precious', which includes three film clips and we are hitting the road to spread some music love in QLD, NSW and the NT. I will be continuing to write both behind the wheel in my truck and with other songwriters for the next five months.
'Coal Train' is available now.
